Michael Moore urges Australian regime change

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Michael Moore made his latest documentary, Fahrenheit 9/11, because he wants to get rid of US President George Bush. But he also wants Australian voters to get rid of John Howard.

At a news conference for foreign correspondents in New York, Moore said Mr Howard's decision to get "in bed" with Mr Bush was "disgraceful", and he hoped that after seeing his film Australian voters would seek "regime change".

"I get a lot of mail from Australia," Moore said. "I probably get per capita more mail from Australia than from any other country. A lot of angry Australians, I never realised how angry, and I don't think just because they are living in Australia, right?

"No, I mean, I realise, it's like, you're living on an island, but you're also a country, but you're also a continent. So I know there's a lot of confusion there, right? But what's confusing to me is, how is it that someone like John Howard could get in bed with George W. Bush?

"Not to give Mr Howard too much credit, but he at least appears to have half a brain. Half, I said. Half. I'm being generous. But, I mean, what is he doing with George W. Bush? It's really disgraceful.

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"And the Australian people, according to all the polls, don't approve of being part of the coalition of the willing. And I hope the same thing happens to (Howard) that happened to the leader of Spain."

Spain's prime minister Jose Maria Aznar was defeated at the polls in March after terrorist attacks in Madrid killed more than 190 people. Mr Aznar supported the war in Iraq; his successor does not.

"I hope that Australians who see this film will say to themselves we need some regime change here, in our country," Moore said.

Then, his mobile phone rang. Moore looked at its screen and said: "Oh, its John Howard!"

Later he returned to the theme of regime change, saying: "I think the Spanish started it. They threw out their prime minister who didn't listen to the will of the people and it's my sincere hope that the Australians, the Italians, the others who joined Mr Bush in this war will also be removed by the citizens of their countries. And I hope this film helps to do that."

Fahrenheit 9/11 opens in Australia next week. In the US it has taken $US60 million ($A84 million), breaking all records for a documentary.

Moore is unlikely to visit Australia to promote the film. "We have an election coming up here, and we decided that every day spent outside the US was a day away from our mission," he said. "I hope that people understand that our priority had to be focusing on what's happening here, so we can do our best to remove Mr Bush from the White House."

Moore was asked about the Bush Administration's reaction to his film and whether he had received any threats. "As far as threats, I don't know of any. So far, I seem to be OK. Actually, that will be a great soundbite for you when they find me floating in the river next week."